Easy diet tip!  DRINK ENOUGH WATER everyday!

Water is an important part of all body functions and processes, including digestion and elimination. When you’re on a diet and in maintenance,  water also acts as a weight loss aid because it can help you eat less.   Drinking water also helps flush wastes from the body, which is especially important during times of fat metabolism and weight loss.”

Water can boost your diet.

A general recommendation is to drink eight 8-ounce cups of water per day, for a total of 64 ounces. But, actual fluid needs are affected by diet, physical activity, body composition, and climate.”Recommendations from the Food and Nutrition Board are for women to get 91 ounces per day and men 125 ounces from all sources — water, other beverages, and foods with a high water content. This number goes up if you exercise, which is a key to successful weight loss — and even more so in hot weather.  You’ll want to drink water before, during, and after every workout.

Don’t wait to feel thirsty to start sipping — that’s a sign that dehydration has already started to occur. You want to drink water throughout the day, on a regular basis.  Also, sometimes when you are hungry, your body is actually thirsty.  So, people eat more food without realizing that they are in need of water–thereby eating more unnecessary calories.

Water: Four Tips for Getting Your Fill

Here are some easy tricks for getting enough water while dieting:

Track Your Water:  “A water tracker is merely a device which helps you keep track of how much water you drink.Such trackers are available online or can be easily replicated.  http://www.diyplanner.com/node/4497

Add water throughout your day.   Some carry a 64-ounce container of water and drink throughout the day, with the goal of drinking all the water before they go to bed. Those who spend time away from home may take a portable container with the amount of ounces known,  knowing that they need to fill and drink it four times throughout the day.  Some people make sure they drink with every activity they do, including walking the dogs.

Get water through food. “Fruits and vegetables can provide fluid to the diet  .Melons and citrus fruits also have a very high water content.  Like water, clear soups and broths help dieters feel full for very few calories, contributing to weight loss. However, beware of creamy soups.   Skim milk, and low-fat and no-added sugar yogurts and puddings also help hydration and nutrition without excessive calories, but keep in mind the calorie content and the carb content.

Flavor your water glass. Many people find that adding low- or non-caloric flavorings to water, such as a wedge of fruit or the flavored low sugar drops like Mio , helps satisfy their appetite cravings.  (I also like sparkling water)

If you want your diet to work, you need to drink plenty of water.  Water can fill you up, decrease your appetite, and help your body get rid of waste from that fat you’re burning.  It is free and it is good for you.  So, drink your water!  And for those who need caffeine, go ahead and have your diet-soda, your Splenda-flavored coffee or tea, but you still need to drink your water.